In a significant legal development, national cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane has been convicted of rape by the Kathmandu District Court after a 15-month-long legal process.
Background and Verdict
The court’s single bench, presided over by Judge Shishir Raj Dhakal, delivered the verdict, concluding that Lamichhane had sexually assaulted a woman identified as Gushala-26 in a hotel in Tilganga on August 21, 2022. The court emphasized that there was no dispute regarding Lamichhane and the victim sharing the same hotel room where the incident occurred.
According to the verdict, Lamichhane exploited the victim’s poor economic condition, leading to his conviction under clause 219—1, 2, and 3 (d) of the Criminal Code Procedure. This clause entails a possible jail term ranging from seven to ten years.
Sentencing Hearing on January 10
The district court registrar, Ramu Sharma, announced that a hearing scheduled for January 10 would determine the duration of Lamichhane’s jail term.
Delayed Legal Proceedings
The legal proceedings faced delays, commencing only on Sunday after substantial postponements. The verdict was reached 15 months after the victim filed the rape case on September 6, 2022.
Disputed Age of the Victim
The court dismissed the victim’s claim of being a minor at the time of the rape, refusing to acknowledge the birth dates in her academic documents. Despite the victim’s assertion that she was 17 during the incident, the court determined her birth date as July 4, 2004, making her 18 years old at the time of the assault.
Mixed Reactions to the Verdict
Rights activists advocating for justice expressed mixed reactions to the ruling. Mohna Ansari, a former member of the National Human Rights Commission, expressed partial satisfaction, stating that while she is pleased with Lamichhane’s conviction, she is not content with the determination that the victim was an adult during the assault.
Lamichhane’s Future Legal Options
Despite the conviction, Lamichhane is not immediately subject to arrest. He retains the right to appeal the district court’s decision at the high court and, subsequently, at the Supreme Court, according to legal experts.
